PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (March 18, 2010)—Charges of making a false report to a police officer were filed on March 11 against Christopher M. Reigle, 19, of Huntingtown, who claimed that armed gunmen broke into his home and shot him on March 1.
An investigation was launched by Det. Homer Rich of the C.I.T. after numerous members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland State Police responded to search for the unknown assailants. Two K-9 teams and a helicopter from the U.S. Park Police were also summoned to aid in the search. Police say that no suspects were ever found and the few leads that were developed promptly led to "dead ends."
Det. Rich became suspicious after facts and evidence did not support Reigle's story. Reigle reported to the Calvert County Sheriff's Office on Friday, March 5 and retracted his earlier statements, admitting that he had accidentally shot himself in the shoulder and then fabricated the story about a break-in.
Laura Martin of the State's Attorney's Office has indicated she will be seeking restitution from Reigle for costs of law enforcement services used in investigating this case.